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2 Sheets-Sheet 1 H. S. PAINE.

DOUGHE APPARATUS.

No. 331,255. Patented NOV. 24, 1885.

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(No Model.)

H. S. PAINE.

DOUOHE APPARATUS.

No. 331,255. Patented Nov. 24. 1885 mfneaaeo a? Mina/vie m N. PEIERS. Phalo-Lilhogfipber. Waihinglnn. ac

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

HOWARD s. PAINE, or ALBANY, NEW YORK.

DOUGH E APPARATUS.

EPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331,255, dated November 24, 1885. Application filed April 24, 1885. Serial No. 163,356. (NomodeL) To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD S. PAINE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Albany, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Douche Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to apparatus for douche and injection purposes; and it consists of an inclined rest or support for the patient, with certain devices and attachments, substantially as hereinafter described, it being intended for use in the prolonged application of the hot-water douche, and. for other purposes.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved'douche apparatus in proper position with a receivingvessel. Fig. 2 represents a sectional front view of the apparatus. Fig. 3 represents a plan view of the same. Fig. 4 rerresents a central longitudinal section. Figs. 5 and 6 show side and plan views of a modification in the construction of the device. Fig. 7 repre sents a cushion used in connection with the apparatus.

It is well understood by medical practitioners that a properly-constructed douche apparatus, particularly for the application of hot water, should provide for the support of the patient in a recumbent and easy position,with the hips slightly elevated. In case the patient is confined to the bed the apparatus should be easy of adjustment under the bed-clothing,with no other change of position than the necessary elevation of the hips, and should not require the .patient to be placed at the edge of the bed with the feet supported outwardly therefrom, thereby requiring unnecessary lifting, change of position, exposure of the feet or limbs to drafts or cold, thereby involving risk of aggravation in cases of acute inflammation or after operations. It should also be so constructed as to secure thorough and perfect ap plication without liability to overflow or wetting the clothing or bedding.

The object of this invention is to provide as nearly as may be a perfect apparatus for douche or injection purposes, more particularly in the application of hot water, which appliance shall support the patient comfortablyin an inclined position, the hips being somewhat elevated. It shall also be easily adjustable as to elevation, without disturbing the patient, removing the coverings, or liability to wetting the bedding or clothing, the water or fluid used being wholly conveyed away by thorough drainage.

The douche apparatus consists of these essential parts: The base or foundation A may be a substantial plate or a simple frame. It must be made of sufficient length and breadth to support the elevated portion or rest and the receiving-vessel, and prevent settling 0r tilting when placed over a soft or yielding bed or mattress. The inclined part G,forming the rest,is coupled at or near its lower end to base A. It is adjustable, and is supported in an inclined position, rising from the lower to the upper or forward end. The degree of elevation may be increased or diminished, according to the requirements of individual cases. As a means for regulating the degree of elevation,a supporting crosspiece, B, is shown, which is hinged to and passes transversely across the base A, and engages along the un der side of the rest 0 with cleats or notches, as shown in the figure; but any suitable adjusting device for regulating the degree of elevation will answer the purpose as well.

The inclined part 0 is as broad and rather more than half as long as the base A. It is designed to be of sufficient length and breadth to comfortably support the body of a patient from the hips to the shoulders. The upper surface of this inclined portion of the apparatus is concave from side to side and convex from end to end, in order to meet special re quirements hereinafter stated.

The concavity of the upper surface of the elevated part (shown in Fig. 2) has a special purpose. The thickness is greatest at the edges, in order to afford the patient more comfortable support, to give a feeling of greater steadiness and security, and to prevent rolling or slipping off by supporting the sides of the body in case the apparatus should tilt to one side when in use, as it might do when placed over a spring-mattress or other soft or yielding material.

The outline of the upper surface of the elevated portion or rest is made convex from end to end to conform, as nearly as may be, to the natural curves of the spine. The convexity, however, is not uniform, the highest portion-- that of the greatest thicknessbeing at a point nearest the upper or curved edge of the inclined rest, as indicated by 00, Figs. 1 and 4, from which point the thickness diminishes toward both ends.

The upper or forward end of the elevated portion of the rest or support is concave from side to side, as is shown at S, Fig. 3. This curved edge is designed to conform transversely to the natural contour of the lower portion of the back, and is such as to prevent discomfort on the part of the patient by any undue pressure in one part more than in an other.

The inclined rest is furnishedwith a suitable form of upholstering, (represented by a cushion, Fig. 7,) the object being to provide comfortable and uniform support, and may be either fixed or removable. lts forward end, a, is cut away to correspond in form to the concavity of the free or upper end of the elevated portion, and is also protected from injury from the drip by a piece of water-proof covering, (represented by 1).)

A receiving-vessel, V, of suitable dimensions is supported by a bow or rod, E, bent to fit underneath its outer rim, the two ends of the bow or rod being fastened to the front portion of the inclined rest. The receiving-vessel is so adjusted as to be easily removed and restored to its proper place, also to be readily changeable in position, so as to discharge its contents at the end or at either side, over the base A. The receiving vessel may be constructed of any suitable material, or in any suitable form which will effectually collect all the drip as it passes from the body of the patient. The receiving-vessel is furnish ed with a dischargepipe of dimensions large enough to insure an uninterrupted flow of its contents into the re ceptacle below. By removing the receivingvessel with a discharge-pipe and substituting one having no outlet'the apparatus can be used as a bed-pan and for rectum-injection purposes.

D is a curved guard or flange, which, ex tending downward from the curved edge S of the upper or free end of the elevated portion, and being over and at the same time within the rim of the receiving-vessel, diverts and conveys the drip as it falls from the body of the patient into the receiving-vessel.

The fountain-pail F (represented in connection with this douche apparatus) is placed at a suitable height above the level of the patient to give a sufficient flow to the hot water or other fluid used. An ordinary rubber tube of small size serves to convey the hot water or other fluid to the body of the patient, and is provided with an ordinary shutoff or clamp, c, by means of which the flow'may be easily regulated and controlled by the patient.

A modification in the construction of the apparatus is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the inclined rest being fastened permanently to the.

complete, equal, and comfortable support to the back and body of the patient while reclining thereon. It provides for aslight elevation of the hips above the level of the body. It can easily be adjusted without liability to exposure of the person to cold, drafts of air, or danger from Wetting the bedding or clothing, and, while simple and durable, it claims to be superior in all its essential elements to that of any other instrument ever offered for the purposes intended to be accomplished.

I claim 1. In a portable douche apparatus, an inclined rest for the body ofa patient, provided with a concavity at its upper end to receive the lower part of the body, in combination with a suitable support therefor, substantially as set forth and described.

2. In a douche apparatus, an inclined rest or support, with its upper surface made convex lengthwise, and concave from side to side,

in combination with a base, A, to which it is secured, and a suitable receivingreceptacle for the discharged fluid, substantially as shown and described.

3. In combination with a base, A, an inclined rest having its elevated front end made concave, and provided with a flange, D, substantially as set forth and described.

4. An inclined rest for douche purposes, having its front or elevated end made concave at S, and provided with a bent rod, E, to hold a receiving-vessel, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- HOWARD S. PAINE.

Witnesses:

ARMAND DE POTTER, HORACE M. PAINE. 

